Improvement in methods of detaching boats



LEWIS H. WATSON.

Improvement in Method of Detaching Boats. No. 124,923. Patentedmarchznan;

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.afi-ENT @rrrcn LEWIS'H. WATSON, OF PITTSBURG, PENNSYLVANIA.

IMPROVEMENT IN METHGDS OF DETACHING BOATS.

Specication forming part of Letters Patent No. 124,923, dated March 26, 1872.

A SPECIFICATION.

" construction of a simple and effective apparatus for instantly detaching boats after they have been lowered to within a short distance ofthe water, as will be hereinafter more fully I set forth.

To enable those skilled in the art to make and use my invention, I u ill proceed to ldescribe its construction and operation.

In the accompanying drawing, Figure lrepresents a sectional and interior View of aboat, showing my apparatus attached. Fig. 2 is a side view of thcstern of a boat, showing the ring placed in the hook, and said hook closed, ready for lowering. Fig. 3 is a side view of the stern of a boat, illustra-tin g the position of the hook after it has been released.` Fig. 4. is a part side and end view of the drum, having ratchet-teeth on one end and designed to operate the hooks by winding the ropes attached to said hooks around its barrel. Fig. 5 is a side view of the hook when removed, showing the relative position of the ring with thepivot.

A represents an interior view of a boat, showing my apparatus in position for lowering; B, the stem and stern posts to which my apparatus is attached. Extending along the bottom of a boat is a smallrope or cord, M,

which operates the hooks. In the bottom of theboat is placed a drum, P, around which the rope M winds, it being guided from one hook to the other by means of small sheaves or rollers, as shown at K, one of which isplaced immediately under the long end of each of the hooks G, as shown at K,Fi g. 2, and others at suitable intervals, being of the right length, and suitably adjusted. The long ends of hooks Gr will both come down at the same time, and the slack will be wound up when the hooks touch the stops. The drum P should have a slight horizontal movement in the direction of the stein or stern of the boat, as the case may be, to secure an equal strain upon either`end of the hooks Gr. The main plates F should be securely fastened to the stemor stern posts, and upon the upper end of said plates are made two lugs or projections to receive the hook Gr, as seen at F. The pivot H should be true and smooth, to secure the easy'turning of the hook, and also project far enough from each side of the plate F to act as guards in preventing the ring E from coming too near the post B, in which case it would be on the dead-center and become inoperative. The pins I, though not really essential, are for additional security in preventing the rin g E from becoming detached accidentally. The spring L is intended to force up the hook G when no strain comes on the tackle. Though I have shown the, pins I and spring L, they may be dispensed withvif de- A sired.

Having described the construction and nature of my invention, I will now proceed to describe its operation, which is as follows: The rings Ev are placed in the hooks G, and the long ends of said hooks forced down by the hand, when the drum P will be turned andthe slack all wound up. The pawlQis then placed in the ratchetteeth S, and secured bythe spring E; the boat will then be swungover the side, and lowered in the ordinary manner by means of the davits C, andblocks and tackle D, as shown in Fig. 1. NVhen the operator desires to detach the boat, he will press down upon the handle P, allowing the rope M to unwind, which in turn releases the movable end ofthe hook Gr, saidV hook turning upward, thus releasing the ringsE and detachin g the boat.

What I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-f 1. The combination of the hook G, plate F,

pivot H, ring E, and guide I, substantially as described, for the purpose set forth.

2. The combination of drum P, ratchet S, pawl Q, cord M,hook G, and spring L, substantially as described.

8. The combination of drum P, ratchet S, pawl Q, rope or cord M, pulleys K, hook G,

plate F, pivot H, spring L, guard I, and ring E, as set forth, for the purpose described.

The foregoing specification signed by me this 31st day of August, A. D. 1871.

W'itnesses: LEWIS H. WATSON T. C. CoNNoLLY,

Unas. H. FowLEIt. 

